London:
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was Thursday set free after nine
days in a London prison, but faces a fresh legal battle over his
extradition to Sweden on sex allegations.

The High Court in London Thursday
granted Assange bail, dismissing an appeal against attempts by the
prosecuting authorities to stop him being freed.

The appeal was based on the contention that Assange was a "flight
risk" due to his "lifestyle connections". There was confusion
Thursday as to which prosecuting authority brought the appeal.

The Swedish authorities denied any involvement in the process,
while Britain's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it acted as
an "agent of the Swedish government".

"Who exactly brought this appeal remains opaque," said Assange's
lawyer, Mark Stephens. However, he described the move as a
"continued vendetta on the part of the Swedish authorities against
Julian Assange".

The 39-year-old Australian will remain in Britain under strict
bail conditions. The extradition case against him is due to begin
early next year.

"We are utterly delighted and thrilled, sharing the joy of Julian
and his family," said Stephens on the steps of the High Court.

Assange's mother, Christine, who travelled from Australia for the
court hearing, said she was "very, very happy" with the decision.

"I can't wait to see my son and hold him close," she said. Asked
what would be the first thing she would do, she replied: "Hug
him."

Supporters were jubilant as news of the bail decision spread.

While in Britain, Assange will live on a country estate in
Suffolk, southeast England, owned by a friend and supporter.

The bail of 200,000 pounds ($312,000), which had to be provided in
cash, was put up by prominent human right campaigners, authors and
film directors, including US documentary maker Michael Moore and
British director Ken Loach.

Two sureties of 20,000 pounds each have also been requested.

The bail ruling is subject to stringent conditions. Assange will
have to surrender his passport and observe a daily curfew which
will be monitored by an electronic tag.

Assange was detained in London after turning himself in at a
police station Dec 7, on the basis of a European Arrest Warrant (EWA)
issued by Sweden.

He is wanted in Sweden on allegations of sex offences against two
women, which he denies, saying that the claims arise from a
dispute over "consensual, but unprotected, sex".

His supporters maintain that the allegations - denied by Assange -
are "politically motivated" and aimed at targeting WikiLeaks for
its online publications of secret US government documents.

Legal observers said, however, that fighting extradition to Sweden
under a European warrant would be difficult. Assange and his
lawyers would have to supply witnesses and documentary evidence to
prove their contention that the Swedish request is "politically
motivated".

Meanwhile, the New York Times reported that federal prosecutors in
the US are seeking to build a case against Assange on possible
espionage charges for his role in obtaining and distributing
classified information.

WikiLeaks last month launched the publication of more than 250,000
top secret cables from the US state department.

Rejecting any rivalry between them as
they become emerging powers on the global stage, India and China
Thursday agreed to address contentious issues that have been a
source of bilateral friction, set an ambitious trade
»

Defence
Minister A. K. Antony and the Three Service Chiefs, General
V.K. Singh, Admiral Nirmal Verma and Air Chief Marshal P.V.
Naik paid tributes at the Amar Jawan Jyoti to mark Vijay
Diwas, 39th anniversary of the victory day of the 1971
India-Pakistan war, in New Delhi on December 16, 2010.

Akbar Ahmad who teaches in American
University, Washington D.C. and holds Ibn Khalladun Chair of
Islamic Studies and is author of several well known books has come
out with field study of American Muslims. This book will go a long
way to break many myths about Islam, Muslims and America.[1] This
book is based on field
»

The women in
this satellite town of the national capital who use public
transport can now feel safe as the police have started exclusive autorickshaws for women.
These autos will be pink coloured so that they can be
»

Winter
schooling has started in nearly 650 schools of Kashmir Valley, but
the lack of heating arrangements in these institutions is worrying
parents as most students are shivering their way through the
classes. "It was
»

A new English biography of Prophet
Muhammad (peace be upon him), titled "The Soul of the Desert" has
been published in an epic but fascinating form, narrating the life
of the last Messenger of God from his birth to death
»

Briton Lillian Lowe still logs on to Facebook at the grand old age of 103 - making her the oldest
person in the world to have an account on the social networking
website.
The centenarian from Tenby, Pembrokeshire
»

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